Zachary Farrell, Executive Director of Secondary Programs, addressed the Cranston Area Career and Technical Center Class of 2024 CTE Program graduates.

“Tonight we are here to celebrate and honor your achievements and success throughout the course of your respective Career & Technical Education programs,” Farrell told the crowd. “The members of the Class of 2024 have earned a great many accolades along the way of which to be proud. They stand out because, along with their high school diploma requirements, they have completed an academically rigorous career and technical education program. Each of you has attained a great personal achievement to be here this evening.”

“Moreover, this Class leaves an impressive legacy beginning with the fact that this is the largest class we have ever had at 294,” he said. “This Class has amassed, at my last count, 465 college credits through their CTE programs. And garnered no less than 73 medals at the Rhode Island SkillsUSA competitions. Everyone here tonight is VERY proud of you! However, numbers alone cannot quantify the essence of this Class.  These are certainly great accomplishments but they do not paint the entire picture … They merely provide us with an overall sketch of this Class’ character, which is colored by the virtues of dedication, diligence, resolve and a firm commitment to the academic values, which make Cranston’s Career and Technical Education Programs renowned throughout our state.”

The evenings speakers included, besides Farrell, Principals Tom Barbieri and John Fontaine, Superintendent Nota-Masse, Mayor Ken Hopkins, and School Committee Member Frank Ritz.